Elon Musk’s Wild Ride in Washington: From Trump’s Budget Slayer to Global Provocateur

Billionaire Elon Musk’s brief but chaotic tenure as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump will go down as one of the most bizarre chapters in modern American politics.

Brought in as part of Trump’s second-term strategy to reduce government spending, Musk quickly became more than just a fiscal advisor—he became a political spectacle. Now, after openly criticizing Trump’s massive spending bill, Musk has stepped down, leaving behind a trail of headline-grabbing moments that raised eyebrows across the globe.

From Budget Cuts to Nazi Salutes

In a highly controversial moment, Musk made headlines when he appeared to perform a Nazi-style salute at Trump’s inauguration rally. Standing near the presidential seal, he twice extended his arm straight out with an open hand—an image that quickly spread across social media. Critics slammed the gesture, while Musk brushed off the backlash, tweeting, “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”

His image took another hit when Tesla critics began referring to the cars as “swasticars.”

Backing Far-Right Movements Abroad

Musk raised even more international concerns when he endorsed Germany’s far-right AfD party via a virtual rally. Calling them “the best hope for Germany,” Musk’s comments drew sharp condemnation from mainstream German politicians. Days later, several Teslas were vandalized in Berlin in protest.

Chainsaws, Cost-Cutting, and a Toddler at Work

Known for his flair for the dramatic, Musk literally brought a chainsaw on stage during a conservative conference to symbolize his aggressive approach to slashing federal spending. The act was inspired by Argentine President Javier Milei, who uses the chainsaw as a symbol of anti-bureaucracy.

Musk also made a habit of bringing his toddler, X, to high-level meetings at the White House. In one surreal moment, Trump introduced the boy during a press briefing, while Musk discussed budget cuts—his son caught on camera picking his nose beside the Resolute Desk.

Overshadowing the Cabinet and Selling Teslas at the White House

Although never a formal cabinet member, Musk often overshadowed Trump’s top officials. He even stood near the door during Trump’s first cabinet meeting, wearing a “Tech Support” T-shirt—subtle in message, but loud in presence.

In an attempt to salvage Tesla’s declining sales, Musk and Trump hosted a publicized test drive event on the White House lawn. Trump claimed to have purchased a Tesla himself, but the PR stunt failed to reverse the company’s 71% profit drop in Q1.

Spending Big, Losing Big

Musk poured $25 million into a judicial election in Wisconsin, offering voters $100 to oppose “activist judges.” His efforts were focused on flipping the court to a conservative majority—but he failed. A liberal candidate won by a wide margin, dealing Musk a political and financial blow.

Clashing with Trump’s Trade Team

While Trump pushed new tariffs on China and Europe, Musk proposed a US-EU free trade zone. He mocked Trump’s economic advisor, Peter Navarro, calling him “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Navarro had criticized Tesla’s supply chain, prompting Musk to defend his cars as the “most American-made.”

The White House downplayed the clash. “Boys will be boys,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The Final Straw: Trump’s Mega Spending Bill

In a rare moment of public disagreement with Trump, Musk voiced strong opposition to the administration’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” He warned that the sprawling tax and spending package would balloon the deficit and undo his team’s cost-cutting efforts.

Disillusioned, Musk resigned from his advisory role, ending his wild ride through Washington with a bang—not a whisper.

Elon Musk’s time as Trump’s advisor was anything but conventional. From salutes that sparked international controversy to budget cuts with theatrical flair, his presence blurred the line between policy and performance.

As he steps away from politics—at least for now—the world is left wondering: was this political disruption or performance art?

Elon Musk Scales Back on DOGE and Politics, But He’s Not Leaving Washington

{Source: IOL}

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